I'm ready to go solo

His last act as a college dude in Main Hoon Na, got him some good reviews. But the newest Khan kid on the block is definitely not ready to take off on a solo project as yet. “That’s my current dream and I am working on it to become a reality soon,” says Zayed.
As Sanjay Khan’s (of Tipu Sultan fame) son, Fardeen Khan’s cousin and younger brother of Hrithik Roshan’s wife, Suzanne, acting came naturally to Zayed. “I always knew that I was going to be an actor. I did not know how or when but I knew I would.”
His debut, Chura Liya Hai Tumne, sank without a trail but Zayed kept his hopes up. Then, last year he was seen as a ‘cool dude’ in Shah Rukh Khan starrer Main Hoon Na. Though his role was definitely not that of a protagonist, his performance was well received.
In Vaada, he plays an obsessed lover of Amisha Patel, who marries a blind man, played by Arjun Rampal. “I feel this is one of my strongest portrayals till now. The character is shown with lots of shades to himself. He is a passionate lover who cannot give up his love. I think he was a cool character to play.”
Did he find it difficult to get into the character? “An actor has to have his own take on a character. He should understand him. I mean, if an actor playing Superman should decide if his underpants are red or yellow. That’s his take on the character.”
Zayed Khan spent a year at the London Film School mastering the art of film-making. “I wanted to be technically sound before I got into the job. Now, I know exactly which frame I should be in and which side I should be looking at to make very shot my best shot.”
His upcoming films include Shabd and Shaadi no.1. Shabd will see him starring with Sanjay Dutt and Aishwarya Rai. Also in queue is an untitled film by Farah Khan.
He plans to pursue direction after a while. “Of course, I would love to direct films. But not right now.” Right now, he would rather sit back and watch his performance in Vaada.
We hope the film is as promising as it sounds.

Published in Hindustan Times Next on January 8, 2005